Replacing large stock radio with "normal" sized one

[otterizer]

Hey, in my parents explorer (2000 xlt) they have a very big CD/cassette player that looks like it is 2 or 3 times the size of a regular CD player. I'm hoping to get a 95 or newer explorer in the near future, and the first thing I would do is put an aftermarket cd player in. However, since the aftermarket ones are so much smaller than the stock one, what do you do about it? Can you get a dash kit that just sits the cd player in the center and then it leaves a flat area where the stock one used to be? What would you all recommend if I wanted to use up that space?

Also, how much power wire would I need to go from the rear hatch to the battery through the firewall to hook up an amp?

Thanks!

 

[Cartman]

Mine now has a small opening that you can put some CDs in but if you hit the brakes the Cd slide out. I've seen some others that use the space for switches.

 

[Bmxboy]

wouldn't it be if you accelerated they would fly out?

 

[Alec]

Otterizer,
There are many mounting kits out there that let you install a single DIN head unit in place of the factory one. They even have them at Walmart. Mine has a pocket that I use for my cell phone and other stuff. Like was said, some have flat panels. Also, other members have made their own mounting hardware and used plexiglass to fill the gaps. As for the power wire, a good rule of thumb when guessing wire lengths along the truck is to have twice the length you think you'll need. In this case, have twice the length of the truck ready. If you have some left over, great. It's better than running out.

 

[otterizer]

sweet..you can get those pocket things! thanks for the info guys!

 

[Hartman]

Here is what the audio place did with my opening:

 

[Alec]

yup, almost the exact same thing as mine. Sorry I didn't post a pic earlier, I forgot that I had some on the web:

Dead Link Removed

Then you can get an old Ford radio from a junkyard and take it apart. Then you've got a fake faceplate:

Dead Link Removed
Dead Link Removed

 

[williecume]

hey alec did you have to glue anything on the orginal "fake"plate to get the buttons to stay? i'm assuming so since you have some cassette showing.

 

[Alec]

The buttons are hot-glued from the back. The tape was cut in half and super-glued. It acts as a handle so I can pull the plate off easily

I had to make spacers at the corners to get the plate to friction-fit in there, I just used some electrical tape origami.

 

[otterizer]

lol, that fake faceplate is an awesome idea.

 

[Lemondrop]

I installed this in mine a year or so ago . Yeah I know it's dirty
My 2 year old was playing with it and has finger prints all over it . Im planning on a detail this weekend cause the truck is in bad need of a cleaning

 

[Lemondrop]

Also on mine the entire thing runs through the factory amp
I made a custom harness that plugged into the amp harness in the dash with RCA's I bought and soldered to the cables . Plugged the XE-744 EQ directly to the factory amp .. sounds mucho better than stock and seems to have everything boosted . Sooner or later Ill replace the stock speakers and it might sound fairly good .